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COVID-19

Spain opens 200 criminal investigations into care home pandemic flaws

Spain’s public prosecutor is investigating more than 200 cases of potential criminal mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic in nursing and old people’s homes, reported Reuters.

Published: 24 January 2021 09:34 CET
Updated: 24 January 2021 10:58 CET
Spain opens 200 criminal investigations into care home pandemic flaws
Photo: Maud WATINE / AFP

During the first wave of the pandemic in Spain last year, the virus spread uncontrollably throughout care home facilities.

The prosecutor’s office said nearly half of its investigations related to homicide through a neglect of duty of care. It is also looking into 21 cases of deficiencies in medical treatment.

Angel Juarez, whose 95-year old mother Leonor died from Covid-19 at a Barcelona care home, sued the regional health department for its negligence and mismanagement of care homes.

“It’s not about political beliefs, everything failed. It is a matter of justice, they died an undignified death,” he told Reuters.

“We want to shine a light on the negligence and clarify who was responsible.”

Around 43,000 care home residents died of COVID-19, or were suspected of having the virus, during the first wave in March to May 2020, according to official data by the Spanish Health Ministry.

During that time, staff reported deficiencies of basic protective equipment. Army units sent to disinfect care homes also discovered unattended dead bodies at several facilities.

Despite the vaccine rollout, with Spain reporting record infection numbers almost daily, health authorities warned that risks still remained throughout care homes.

Pre-existing flaws, including governance, funding, working conditions, a lack of coordination with primary health care, and a lack of isolation spaces, are still widespread, according to the recent health report.

Ignacio Fernandez Cid, president of the FED care-home association welcomed the investigations but felt the sector was being unfairly reprimanded for wider failings.

“Whoever has done wrong must pay for what they’ve done, whether that’s health officials or politicians or care home operators,” he said.

Prosecutors postponed other cases, because most of the time they were passed to courts, rather than because investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Spain has around 5,500 nursing homes, home to approximately 400,000 people, according to the European Ageing Network.

READ ALSO: Spain slammed over care of elderly during coronavirus crisis

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HEALTH

‘Tripledemic’ in Spain: Which regions have made masks mandatory in hospitals?

With Covid, flu and bronchitis cases overwhelming hospital staff, Spain's health ministry is considering bringing back compulsory mask usage in medical facilities. However, some regions have already decided to make them mandatory.

Published: 8 January 2024 17:24 CET
'Tripledemic' in Spain: Which regions have made masks mandatory in hospitals?

It’s all felt a bit déjà vu in Spain in recent days. Respiratory infections on the up, worries about hospitals being overwhelmed, regional governments clashing with central government about the best way to approach things, and, of course, the return of face masks.

The Health Ministry, headed by Mónica García, called an extraordinary meeting of Spain’s Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) in order to “unify the criteria” against the surge in respiratory illnesses over the winter, namely the ‘tripledemic’ threat of influenza, Covid-19 and bronchiolitis as it’s been dubbed in the Spanish and international press.

Although Spain’s Ministry of Health and regional governments failed to come to a nationwide agreement with regards to the mandatory use of masks in hospitals, health centres and pharmacies throughout the country, some regions have already made mascarillas mandatory.

Self-assessed health leave

The government is also considering the possibility of allowing three-day leave for people who have a mild illness that doesn’t require medical attention in order to ease pressure on the health system.

“We are studying self-justifying mild illnesses during the first three days,” García said in an interview with Onda Cero, indicating that this self-assessment process, referred to as ‘autobaja‘ in Spanish, would be for people that “do not need to go to the doctor.”

But what about masks? With no agreement between the government and regions yet, where do you need to wear one?

Mandatory masks

Valencia

The Valencian Ministry of Health has made masks mandatory in all health centres for symptomatic people when they are in shared spaces, including waiting rooms and consultations.

Catalonia

Masks are also mandatory in all health centres in Catalonia, though, as of Monday afternoon, it has not yet been confirmed if pharmacies are included.

Murcia

Murcia too has made face masks mandatory in hospitals and health centres and recommended their use in “in any space, when there are symptoms of respiratory disease.”

Health authorities in the southern region have been offering free masks since December 30th in hospitals.

Canary Islands

The mask mandate will enter into force tomorrow, Tuesday 9th, although like in Murcia their use has been recommended since December.

Aragón

In Aragón, masks are mandatory for all healthcare workers and personnel who work in health centres and hospitals, including social health centres. The mandate has also been extended to patients, but only those in waiting rooms.

Asturias

Face masks will be mandatory in Asturias from Tuesday 9th, in both hospitals and pharmacies.

Non-mandatory but recommended

The rest of the Spanish regions have yet to make masks mandatory in hospitals and health centres, but recommend their use, including:

Balearic Islands

The Balearic Government does however recommend using a mask if you have symptoms, as well as frequent hand washing and covering your mouth when sneezing.

Castilla and León

The Ministry of Health in Castilla y León has recommended masks for people who suspect that they may be ill or have a respiratory infection.

Basque Country

The Basque Department of Health also recommends masks for people with symptoms of respiratory illness, but has not made them obligatory.

Andalusia

The Andalusian Health Service (SAS) recommends masks for people with symptoms, previous health problems, when with vulnerable people or at hospitals or health centres, but has so far ruled out making them mandatory.

Madrid

The Madrid regional government has taken the most nakedly political approach and accused the Ministry of Health of a “lack of planning” and ruled out mask mandates.

Castilla-La Mancha

In Castilla La Mancha, mask use is recommended but not obligatory.

Cantabria

Similarly, in Cantabria masks are not mandatory but recommended.

Navarra

Navarra’s Ministry of Health claims that mask mandates in hospitals and health centres would require “a regulatory adjustment” that would have to be analysed “in depth.”

Masks are therefore recommended but not mandatory for now.

Galicia

In Galicia, masks are recommended in hospitals and other health centres but not mandatory.

La Rioja

Maks in hospitals are only recommended, not obligatory.

Extremadura 

Masks are recommended but not mandatory.

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